Santa Fe, New Mexico is more than a haven for painters and sculptors — it’s also home to a tight-knit, world-class tattoo community. Among its standout artists is Zac Scheinbaum, the owner of Shrine Tattoo on West Marcy Street. In this episode of Art in the Raw, we sit down with Zac to talk about tattooing, independent publishing, and what it’s like returning to Santa Fe after years in San Francisco and New York.
🎧 Listen to the full interview: Zac Scheinbaum on Art in the Raw
Zac’s shop, Shrine, is more than a place to get tattooed — it’s a collaborative space shared by four artists, with a jewelry store in the front called XBodo run by his partner. Located in downtown Santa Fe, Shrine offers custom tattoos in an intimate setting rooted in the local art scene.
“It feels good to be home,” Zac says, reflecting on his return to Santa Fe and the dream of opening a shop that had been years in the making.
Before opening Shrine, Zac spent years refining his tattooing skills at top-tier shops like Saved and Kings Avenue in New York, and working alongside tattoo legends in San Francisco. He learned the trade under Mark V. Hill at Four Star Tattoo in Santa Fe, and it was those early influences that shaped his approach to art, mentoring, and the tattoo community.
“It was just seeing it from afar as a kid… and then once I started, I never questioned it.”
In addition to tattooing, Zac is the founder of Afterlife Press, an independent publishing company creating art books that showcase the work and philosophy of tattoo artists worldwide. With titles like Afterlife Volumes 1 & 2 and upcoming projects from artists like Chris O’Donnell and Tamara Santibañez, Zac brings a thoughtful, handcrafted approach to tattoo literature.
“I wasn’t seeing or reading anything I wanted to in the tattoo world… so I made it myself.”
Unlike bigger cities, Santa Fe’s tattoo culture is personal. Many artists, including Zac, describe it as a small but strong community. The focus isn’t on flashy trends — it’s on connection, craftsmanship, and meaning. Shrine, and artists like Zac, represent the blend of fine art and tattooing that makes Santa Fe tattoo shops distinct.
Whether you’re a local or just visiting Santa Fe and looking for a meaningful tattoo, Shrine and the artists behind it offer an experience that blends tradition, storytelling, and visual beauty.
